No Longer Silent

Carrie’s TOUCH
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Season 2 of No Longer Silent is bringing something fresh: the voices of national leaders joining our advocacy leader learning series. Each episode features influential change-makers who are out on the front lines championing healthcare access, equity, and justice for all communities. We’re centering real stories, candid strategies, and practical wisdom for dismantling barriers and moving the needle on the issues that matter most.

  1. SEP 9

    Racial Disparities In Healthcare Aren't Accidental

    In our fifth episode of the season, titled Racial Disparities In Healthcare Aren't Accidental, patient advocate for disability justice Vanessa Lathan shares her personal journey with multiple invisible disabilities and chronic illness, and discusses the unique challenges faced as a Black woman navigating healthcare, workplace discrimination, and the stigma of “silent” diseases. The episode explores why authentic storytelling is crucial alongside data in advocacy, the urgent need for multigenerational collaboration, and the daily fight for equity in a system not built for everyone.

    22 min

  2. AUG 26

    Behind the Curtain: Barriers that Block Lifesaving Care

    In our fourth episode of the season, titled Behind the Curtain: Barriers that Block Lifesaving Care, Tiffany Westrich-Robertson, Executive Director of Ai Arthritis, spotlights the real-life barriers blocking access to life-saving care, as federal funding cuts squeeze health services nationwide. She shares her personal journey from misdiagnosis to patient advocacy, highlights the gaps in research and representation for marginalized communities, and exposes how insurance practices like step therapy and non-medical switching undermine patient health. Listeners will hear why affordability reviews often leave out critical patient voices and how her organization is fighting to make systemic change by collecting and centering diverse patient experiences.

    37 min

  3. AUG 19

    Power Where It Belongs: Community-Led Blueprints for an Accountable Healthcare System

    In our third episode of the season, titled Power Where It Belongs: Community-Led Blueprints for an Accountable Healthcare System,  Dr. Alan J. Balch, CEO of the Patient Advocate Foundation, discusses the escalating challenges faced by safety net organizations as funding tightens and resource needs grow. He unpacks how fragmented systems impact low- and middle-income patients, why building strong local and national partnerships is key to resilience, and the critical need for effective, community-driven safety nets. This conversation dives into the realities of healthcare policy, the struggle for equitable access, and the importance of integrating compassion into advocacy.

    26 min

  4. AUG 12

    The System Listens When We Organize: Advocacy That Shifts Power

    In our second episode of the season, titled The System Listens When We Organize, Jovan Agee shares his journey from a college internship to becoming a force in policy change. He reflects on his landmark win securing direct deposit for California’s domestic workers, his transition into health and breast cancer advocacy, and the importance of community power, political strategy, and holding leaders accountable. A NOTE ABOUT THIS EPISODE: An executive order from the current US administration has impacted federal employee unions. We weren't aware of this development until after Jovan's episode was recorded and edited. We've given him the opportunity update his statements regarding unions and he has the following to say: Thank you for bringing to my attention the recent executive order impacting federal employee unions. This development does not, however, alter my stance on the importance of organizing. My discussion of unions in the interview serves as an example of a sophisticated organized political group, demonstrating a blueprint for influencing politics and policy that I believe warrants consideration. It is important to clarify that my argument is not a defense or condemnation of unions themselves, but rather an emphasis on the strategic power of organized groups. Thank you, Jovan Agee Chief Executive Officer Agee Global Solutions, LLC www.ageeglobal.com

    29 min

  5. AUG 5

    Silence Won’t Save Us: Healthcare Advocacy Is a Matter of Life or Death

    In this episode, “Silence Won’t Save Us: Health Advocacy is Literally a Matter of Life and Death,” host Rev. Dr. Tammie Denyse sits down with Sandra O. Poole, MPA, a renowned health policy advocate and champion for equity. Join us as we dig into real stories and practical strategies for breaking barriers to healthcare access, centering Black women’s experiences, and moving from just having a seat at the table to actually redistributing power in the policy process. Sandra shares candid lessons on self-advocacy, overcoming medical bias, the realities of advocacy under challenging political climates, and the necessity of self-care and community-building for activists. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about health equity, patient empowerment, and turning advocacy into action.

    28 min
  6. Getting Loud With Rev. Carolyn Habersham

    08/27/2024

    Getting Loud With Rev. Carolyn Habersham

    In the last episode of No Longer Silent: Patient Access Stories, Reverend Carolyn Habersham, affectionately known as Mother Carolyn, shares her harrowing journey through multiple cancer diagnoses and her fight for equitable healthcare. Diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1988, breast cancer in 1998, and upper palate cancer in 2002, Mother Carolyn recounts the systemic barriers she faced, including racism and discrimination, as a Black woman without health insurance. Despite these challenges, she persevered, advocating fiercely for herself and others in similar situations. Mother Carolyn's story is not just one of survival but of resilience and advocacy. She discusses the emotional and physical toll of her experiences, the critical role of allies within the healthcare system, and the ongoing fight for dignity and respect in medical treatment. Her journey also led her to a deeper understanding of her faith, transforming her theological perspective and inspiring her to become a healthcare advocate.

    39 min
  7. Getting Loud With Leo Hickman

    08/19/2024

    Getting Loud With Leo Hickman

    In this enlightening episode of the No Longer Silent podcast, Leo Hickman, a veteran and advocate for holistic health, discusses the complexities of healthcare access in America. Leo shares his personal experiences navigating the healthcare system as a veteran and the challenges faced with accessing timely care. He delves into the concept of "step therapy" and how it impacts treatment for non-emergency conditions. Leo also introduces us to his innovative approach to healthcare through the creation of a co-op network of practitioners that focuses on holistic and preventative medicine. He emphasizes the importance of community support and mental health services, which have become integral parts of his practice since the COVID-19 pandemic. Leo's work is deeply rooted in his expertise in biomedical engineering technology and his passion for plant medicine. ***HEALTHCARE FOR VETERANS IS MULTIFACETED. WHILE VETERANS FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES AS OTHER AMERICANS, THEIR WAIT TIMES TO SCHEDULE A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT OR TO SEE A SPECIALIST AT TIMES CAN TAKE TWICE AS LONG. FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, THEIR CHALLENGES ARE EVEN GREATER.

    41 min
  8. Getting Loud With Sharon Washington

    08/13/2024

    Getting Loud With Sharon Washington

    In this emotionally charged episode of "No Longer Silent," Sharon Washington Barnes shares a deeply personal and tragic story about her brother, Shawn, who lost his life due to what she believes was systemic racism and medical negligence. Sharon recounts Shawn's harrowing experience with multiple healthcare facilities that failed to provide adequate care, ultimately leading to his untimely death at the age of 29. Despite the profound loss, Sharon has become a fierce advocate for healthcare reform, using her brother's story to push for legislative changes and to support other families facing similar injustices. The episode delves into the systemic issues within the healthcare system, particularly how they affect Black and Brown communities. Sharon discusses her involvement with the Fairness for Patients Act, which seeks to dismantle predatory laws that limit compensation for medical negligence cases. She also highlights the importance of advocacy and education, sharing resources like the Change for Shawn toolkit, which empowers individuals to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for themselves and their loved ones.

    46 min
See All (18)

Trailer

About

Season 2 of No Longer Silent is bringing something fresh: the voices of national leaders joining our advocacy leader learning series. Each episode features influential change-makers who are out on the front lines championing healthcare access, equity, and justice for all communities. We’re centering real stories, candid strategies, and practical wisdom for dismantling barriers and moving the needle on the issues that matter most.

Information

  • Creator
    Carrie’s TOUCH
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    No Longer Silent